United States President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that a Memorandum of Understanding in ceasefire talks with Iran has been "largely negotiated," with the agreement set to include the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The deal remains subject to finalization by negotiators from the US and Iran, along with "various other countries."

This development follows a series of calls Trump held with leaders and officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Turkiye, and Bahrain. He also engaged in a separate conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump shared on his Truth Social platform that "final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly."

The announcement marks a significant shift after a week of fluctuating rhetoric from the US president. Trump had previously issued threats to Iran, indicating time was running out for a lasting ceasefire, and had informed reporters he was on the verge of resuming attacks before pausing them at the request of Gulf nations. His messaging has since oscillated between renewed threats and declarations that a deal was imminent.

Trump’s statement was released shortly after Pakistani army chief Asim Munir concluded a visit to Iran, which the Pakistani military described as "highly productive." According to the statement, "encouraging progress" was made towards a final understanding. This visit by the Pakistani army chief occurred as Islamabad and Doha continue their efforts to mediate an end to the US-Israel war on Iran.

Tehran has historically expressed caution regarding negotiations with the US, particularly in light of previous military actions taken by the US against Iran during discussions concerning its nuclear program. The current conflict, initiated by the US and Israel on February 28, has seen fighting largely paused since April 8, with only isolated flare-ups reported.

Key contentious issues in the ongoing negotiations have reportedly included the future of Iran's nuclear program, its regional influence, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the presence of US military forces in the region, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

Despite the apparent progress, unresolved questions remain regarding the specific terms of the agreement and the timeline for its official announcement and implementation. The involvement of multiple countries suggests a complex diplomatic undertaking to secure lasting peace in the region.

The US has maintained a blockade on Iran's ports, while Iran has effectively controlled access to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. The reopening of this vital waterway is a significant component of the reported deal.